Paraplegic rehabilitation apparatus

a rehabilitation apparatus and paraplegic technology, applied in the field of paraplegic rehabilitation apparatus, can solve the problems of significant impairment of the ability to adequately control the arterioles and pre-capillary sphincters of the cardiovascular system, the loss of ability to adequately control the distribution of blood flow, and the inability to adequately control the cardiovascular system arterioles and pre-capillary sphincters, etc., to achieve the effect of improving the paraplegic condition, growing high quality

US7137959B2Inactive Publication Date: 2006-11-21RLE CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Patents(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2006-11-21
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

Walking motion apparatus and methods for use thereof are provided for enabling paraplegic, quadriplegic, brain injured and various other handicapped patients to implement a natural walking motion while either supporting no weight, or alternately, a selected portion of their weight.
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Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60 / 635,902 filed Dec. 14, 2004 and 60 / 645,247 filed Jan. 19, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to apparatus useful in rehabilitative programs for paraplegic and quadriplegic individuals, and even health maintenance programs for individuals that are totally unable to care for themselves such as those in a deep coma, and more particularly to method and apparatus for assisting such individuals to exercise in a true walking manner, and concomitantly for implementing rhythmic modulation of blood flow and pressure in a manner generally suitable for reestablishing nominally acceptable cardiovascular circulation and muscular tissue regeneration throughout the body and particularly in the lower extremities.

[0003] Paraplegic and quadriplegic individuals have by definition suffered traumatic injuries to their spinal cords that have rendered them...

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Embodiment Construction

[0046]With reference first to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there shown are isometric views of a walking motion apparatus 10 respectively disposed in initial and maximally elevated positions in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The walking motion apparatus 10 is optimized for use by a supinely disposed paraplegic or otherwise wheelchair bound patient 12, or even a quadriplegic patient 12, in implementing a substantially normal walking motion while supporting a selected portion of his or her weight. As further described hereinbelow, the walking motion apparatus 10 comprise an elevation drive mechanism 14, a rhythmic limb elevation drive mechanism 16, a foot guiding mechanism 18, and a patient handling mechanism 20, all configured such that a wheelchair bound individual can utilize the walking motion apparatus 10 in all respects without assistance, and such that a quadriplegic or even a severely brain injured individual can utilize it with minimal assistance. For c...